Kidney Disease and Diabetes Can Lead to Dialysis

One in three adults who develop diabetes, type 1 or type 2, will also have chronic kidney disease, sometimes called diabetic kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over the years, having this condition, especially if not well controlled, can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and make removing waste and extra fluid difficult.

Diabetic kidney disease is a serious medical condition that can eventually lead to kidney failure  and the need for dialysis. If you have diabetes, what concerns should you have about your kidney health?

Blood sugar, or glucose, provides much-needed energy to the cells. Too much energy can damage them, though, so the body controls when and how much glucose they get with insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It is essentially a key that opens a lock on the membranes of the cells. When they need energy, the body signals the pancreas to release insulin into the blood. The insulin unlocks the membranes of the cells, and glucose goes into them to provide energy.

For many people, diabetes is like having the locks changed. The cells don’t respond the same way to the insulin, so glucose builds up in the blood. In some cases, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin in the right quantities, causing a rise in blood sugar.

Regardless of how it happens, the end result is too much sugar in the blood. High blood sugar has corrosive effects on some cells, damaging their function or killing them. Over time, high blood sugar levels can impact blood vessels, nerves, and organs like the kidneys. 

What Is Diabetic Kidney Disease? 

Small blood vessel clusters in the kidneys help filter waste from the blood. When blood sugar levels remain poorly controlled, it damages these clusters. This means the kidneys can no longer effectively filter blood and remove waste products.

As waste builds up in the blood, it pushes blood pressure upward. Chronic high blood pressure causes further damage to the kidneys, and eventually, they fail to function.

Preventing Diabetic Kidney Disease

The best way to prevent kidney damage is to manage your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication. Controlling diabetes is not easy, though. Some people struggle to manage blood sugar even when they do everything right. When they start to experience kidney problems, they may require dialysis to prevent further damage to the kidneys and other organs.

What Is Dialysis? 

Dialysis is a treatment that allows a machine to do the work of the kidneys. Dialysis will keep blood toxins and waste products from building up in your body. It will also remove excess fluid to lower your blood pressure.

Not everyone on dialysis has diabetes. The kidneys can fail for other reasons, such as:

Lupus

Traumatic injury

High blood pressure not related to diabetes

Dialysis is lifesaving for those with kidney failure, whether temporary or permanent. For some, it is a stop-gap that keeps them alive while waiting for a kidney transplant.

Different Types of Dialysis

There are two forms of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They do the same thing but go about it differently,

With hemodialysis, the blood goes through a surgical fistula or graft placed into an artery and vein in the arm to an artificial kidney for filtering and then returns to the body. For those undergoing peritoneal dialysis, the blood filtering is done through tiny vessels in the abdominal lining called the peritoneum.

Someone getting dialysis will go to a dialysis center several times a week or have dialysis at home. It is a lifesaving procedure but also a life-changing one. Finding ways to cope with dialysis is critical to your physical and mental health.

Ways to Cope With Dialysis

Dialysis patients should understand their condition and be active in their health care. The scariest things are the ones you don’t fully understand. There are also things you can do to make the process easier.

Follow the Diet

Dialysis patients must follow a strict diet to help prevent fluid retention but not get dehydrated. It is a bit of a balancing act but avoiding foods high in potassium, salt, and phosphorus will help. The less fluid you retain, the more comfortable you’ll be before, during, and after your treatments.

Exercise as Much as Possible

Staying active is critical for mental and physical health. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations on ways to keep active and exercise.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep is an integral part of the healing process. The recommendation is that dialysis patients get anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Dialysis is not an invitation to stay in bed, though, not unless it is physically necessary. Have a routine that includes a set time for bed and getting up each day.

Dress Comfortably

You’ll want to wear something that is comfortable and helps keep you warm for your treatments, whether you do them at home or in a dialysis center. Wear 2 Conquer clothing puts you back in charge by providing easy-access designs for those who need dialysis or chemotherapy.

Our empowering line allows for easy port access, collarbone or arm. So if you undergo regular hemodialysis, you don’t need to worry about wearing short sleeves or pushing long ones up past a surgical port.

The clothing is also stylish and covers your ports when you are not undergoing treatment. No one needs to know you have regular dialysis unless you decide to tell them.

At Wear 2 Conquer, we aim to provide you with stylish and dignifying comfortable apparel that will work as casual daily wear. Find out more about our clothing line today by visiting our website for easy, port-accessible apparel.